Joy in Many a Reunion

We began to fall over Ibrithil, but slowly. It was like gliding, and we all could look out over the newly-restored continent. A flicker of gold above the forests of Ibrithil marked Ciarcias; he met up with us a few minutes later. As he approached we all saw his sacrifice: the dragon had lost an eye and much of his left chest. We all "hopped" onto Ciarcias, Theo administering some powerful healing magic to the dragon. Wounds closed but the golden eye stayed shut, pierced by a hefty arrow.
 
Ciarsias took us down back to the continent, flying over the newly restored island in the middle of Ibrithil's lake. Pink cherry blossoms covered the area, the center of which was dominated by a tree larger than any the group had ever seen. Its branches reached up to the sky, almost above it -- an illusion broken when the Vanguard fell over Ibrithil.
 
We drew close, and it was Ciarsias that indicated the face seemingly carved into the tree. It looked strangely like Theo, and after a moment all realized: Lawrence Hornraven had been given life, in a way, in this great tree. Though the face did not move as we looked to it most of the Vanguard agreed the tree was peculiar indeed.
 
 

At Last

It was brought up that the bodies of Izol and Yrna still lay in stasis of sorts at the top of Hatewind Peak. We have not the magic to bring their spirits back, and realized we should head to Last Watch before anything else happened.
 
It took two days to reach Last Watch, Ciarcias gliding on more favorable winds. As we looked below, the once-red and dangerous crystals were now ashen husks, breaking into ash and dust with the wind. Where tentacles once were great mounds of flesh slowly melted into the snowy landscape. Ibrithil was healing.
 
This was merely a foreshadowing of Last Watch. Upon our descent we could see the wasteland of bodies surrounding the fort: orc, human, and aberration alike rotting in the snow. A battle had been fought here, and hopefully won without a Pyrrhic Riktorian victory.
 
The guards met us somberly and helped us inside. Lady Ducati's secretary pointed on to the infirmary deeper in the castle. Everywhere lay the injured: there were more bodies than space to keep them from the cold. The purple of Indrada was not missed, many soliders and healers sent up from the underdark city to help with the injured.
 
Holding a symbol of Bahamut, Ducati stood praying over an unmoving body. Her cure wounds was not grand but still effective; he coughed to life as she turned to look us over. "I did not expect you back."
 
"When you entered the tower, something across the land rose up from the crystals. An army of twisted aberrations attacked. The fort held, though at great cost. As you can see, Indrada arrived to help." She shivered at the thought: "Their... cavalry was a great advantage for us. But you won the fight, that much is clear. Whether they grew weaker or gave up, whatever you did in that tower turned the battle. We chased down the rest of them into the forests to hunt down each and every one."
 
"The seas surrounding Ibrithil are safe as well; reports have come in that the monstrosities are washing up in many places. Communications have resumed; I am dealing with a veritable deluge of information." Ducati indicated for us to move to a quieter room, a breakroom. Waving to those inside to leave, she spoke in a more serious tone. "The Arcadian Council wishes to speak with you personally about this. I have been informed I can fill you in now, or you can wait."
 
Arcadia has, in our absence, faced dark times. The war between us and the vonfederacy reached an armistice -- some messengers made it through the seas to reach Arcadia. Right now we stand in a ceasefire. But as you know the Bladelands have been uncooperative; they still war with Bezia. As far as I know, Bezia is very much in danger.
 
However, the council is tied up in this. Declaring war on the Bladelands would provoke the Vecti Confederacy to attack the Accord again. No one wants this, so talk has been had on how to approach the situation. The council, in our absence, has come to a descision:
 
You will restructure the Inquisitorius. I would step down as its leader, and you would take its head. The council has only noted that the commission would work towards peace in Vhaal, whether subvertly or publicly. And," she paused, "to offer nations access to the Arcadian Accord. You would become undersigners, and via the Veradin Caravan Company gain the power to forge alliances between any group and Arcadia."
 
"She looked at each of the Vanguard with gravity. "You will have the full force of the Arcadian Accord and council in Excellion behind you, but with that comes more oversight and responsibility."
 
"Your job will entail the security of our nation."
 
Murg's eyes shone throughout the conversation; he fainted at the mention of the company, but once Ducati finished speaking barraged her with questions on budget and investments."
 
"Who on the council agreed to this?" Theo asked. Alexia Ducati took a moment before answering him. "You should consider this decision a unanimous vote from the Arcadian council. As for your new commission, I myself suggested that the Inquisitorius be dissolved. I intended only to dissolve my position, but you all replacing this void is in fact convenient replacement. I do not think the ways of the Inquisitorius or myself are good for this new world."
 
Ducati took a large breath before offering one last question: "Where will you go next?"
 
"Bezia." Steel answered without pause. Alexia nodded. "Then you had best get to the teleportation shrine on the coast. We recently got it back up and running."
 
Theo had one more question. "How many people were sent here from Indrada? Did the shaman come?" The answer came in brief: "A hundred giants, but no leader," was the answer.
 
The last Inquisitor left the Vanguard to deliberate, intersecting the shift change to give the group time to deliberate. Within the hour a plan was formed:

Westgate, to reach Indrada.

Hatewind Peak, to Hrothamari's observatory.

Then to Bezia, to Steel's family.
 
The trip as a whole flew by like a whirlwind. It seemed in the blink of an eye that the Vanguard was already back on Vhaal, Indrada a distant memory.
 

Indrada, whole

The Vanguard was celebrated with a veritable parade when we reached the underdark city. All were grateful, even their shaman leader. At Theo's questions, the shaman confirmed Kreethi had remained in his palace through the Ibrithil crisis. No new sounds, no changes. "We long for the days when giants roamed Ibrithil as its caretakers." Ibrithil scouts had found NAME in the rubble of Hatewind Peak, and at his request had allowed NAME to stay on the island. "He sends his gratitude."
 
To Theo: "If ever you wish to talk, or have questions with your unique skill, I will teach you of this circle. Then you may visit whenever the need arises."
 
Our wizard also returned Freya's staff to the shaman, who accepted it with honor. On the topic of Hrothamari's prophecies: "I would accept them from you, but I cannot read them."
 
Murg bought two diamonds (500gp) from Sawscha, who had packed up everything to leave Ibrithil. She took her pay from Murg -- for her contract and the purchase -- and readied up to leave.
 

Hrothmari's repose

Sawscha accompanied us to Hatewind Peak. As the Vanguard flew over the center of Ibrithil and the island there, Ciarcias flew low for us to survey the land. On the shore most of the Vanguard spotted a group of people rising from the lake to make landfall. Simply garbed and numerous, it was the lizardfolk clan the Vanguard had met many moons ago. And even from on high the Vanguard could see delight and excitement -- perhaps feel it in the very air.
 
The sunset of the second day spent flying saw Ciarcias land at Hrothamari's observatory. He led the way inside to the sanctum of rest, where Ynra and Izol lay.
 
Murg needed time to work, alone. Jojen was adamant that he join in, but the cleric was insistent. Two hours passed before he left the chamber to sit down on the stoop, gavel in his lap. "It is done."
 
In the interum Steel spoke with Theo. "We should leave Hrothamari's prophecies and his symbol here in his observatory." The wizard nodded in agreement, the two putting the items on Hrothamari's desk as instructed by Ciarcias.
 
Varunmund was the next to speak. "What about me? I am not giant, nor have a tower to return to." Steel responded, asking if the intelligence would stay with the Vanguard. Theo echoed this, and to no one's surprise the intelligence agreed.
 
A pair of blood-curdling screams echoed through the observatory.
 
Murg was the first to the chamber of repose, giving whatever moral support he could to Ynra and Izol.
 
They had returned from the dead.
 
Still terrified, realization was beginning to enter the mind of Izol and Yrna. "How, how long have we been dead?" she asked. It had been a fortnight, though this information was no consolation to the pained druid. Coming back to the land of the living is quite an ordeal.
 
Jojen watched on as the Vanguard regrouped around their long lost twins. To find his own peace he retreated to his mind in meditation. The gaze of his dream-sight, of his people, kept him in this very place. But in another place and time. All faded away from existence save himself and Izol. Inextricably Jojen's spirit rose up and floated towards Izol -- and entered him. Two became one.
 
And Jojen let out a pained shriek as his mind, his disability cleared. A link stronger than light itself formed between the monk and his people, the dreamscape of the astral plane. All at once the experiences and histories and thoughts of all of his people flooded into him, and the monk wept profusely at the feeling.
 
Izol could only sit up before he was engulfed by both Steel and Murg in a giant hug. They crushed him, nearly, before they had the thought to give the newly-awakened warlock some space. It was in this moment, stepping back, that they saw Izol's hair fall from his head and crumble into ashes. In its place marvelous flame flowed like, obviously, hair, in waves of red and orange.
 
Theo returned Izol's ring to him, which he repaid the wizard with a weak hug.
 
 
"I'm glad we made it," Yrna whispered. "Has it been done?" All of the Vanguard confirmed the fact, and once Murg began enumerating the druid collapsed back onto the table she laid on. Exhaustion took her form, at least for now.
 
Ciarcias checked in on the Vanguard after a time. The spell of friendships rekindled was broken when his massive head slid into the doorframe. There was more for the Vanguard to do -- Murg: "There's a war going on." -- so with great help from all of the recovered Vanguard Yrna and Izol submitted themselves to being carried and tied onto Ciarcias' back.
 
 

One last flight

It was four days to the southeastern shores of Ibrithil. The flight was calm; Izol and Jojen spoke intimately the whole journey. As if they had been brothers long lost but now reunited. It was whispered among the other members of the Vanguard that the two adventures shared the same tattoos -- "Identical," Steel noted.
 
The group made camp to pack things up before heading through the shrine to Bezia. Steel collected firewood and set out tents; Theo prepared a firepit; Izol cooked dinner. Murg took flame to the campfire, but unable to light it in the winds of Ibrithil asked Jojen to taken over. As soon as the monk lit the fire, Embryeon flared out from Jojen's pack to quite literally engulf Izol. The small elemental was at least three times his normal size, and the two shared a warm reunion fueled by the warmth of the campfire.
 


Alexia Ducati and most of the Last Watch saw the Vanguard off to Bezia. She spoke directly to Jojen, asking him of his position and if he wanted to return to his people on the astral sea. Tears brimmed the monk's eyes, and it was clear to all watching that Jojen wanted nothing more in all the realms than to see his family once more.
 
"It was short, but I'm glad I was able to help. If you ever need my help again, you know where to call." Theo's sendoff summarized the feelings of every person in attendance. "Return to your people a hero, Jojen."
 
Jojen gave Izol his earring of whisper as well as some of his gear, including his pipe of remembrance. To Steel he handed off the spectral sword of strife.
 
Each went their separate ways.
 

To Bezia

The single crystal within the shrine greeted the Vanguard. "Where would you like to go?"
 
To Bezia.
 


Steel let the way from Bezia's shrine of teleportation. Theo spoke to Murg as they left the building, asking about the bugbear's knowledge on the dwarvish language.
 
As the Vanguard marched through the streets they saw the people of Bezia. It was clear things had become hard there: faces were gaunt, men and women thinner, and more guards than before. But there was no actual signs of war; no politicians were seen outside of the Bezian castle (normally a sign of wartime).
 
"Lady Sapphire is currently holding court, Master Steel." The tabaxi was too focused on his sister to register this new information; his friends did however. Steel led the group deeper inside, past newly-build barracks and training grounds. The fear was palpable to all.
 
A small, short man
Admin Conner
Well, well, well. I'm sure Queen Sapphire will be pleased to see you. And congratulations in Ibrithil.
 
Steel gave Connor the Sapphire Claw. "Give this to Sapphire, please." Shouting flooded the antechamber as he opened the door to the queen's receiving room, disappearing as it closed.
 
A scream and roat shook the castle, until Sapphire herself threw the receiving doors open. To stare blankly at Steel, as if he were a ghost.
 
I thought you were dead!
 
The cat?
 
I replaced you!
 
 
The Hornravens send their regards.
 
Come back
 
I'm glad you didn't die.
 
Connor: "She runs a tight ship."
He gave the group snacks and drinks. Steel thought before asking: "Are the people of Bezia okay?"
"They are struggling. Arcadia can only offer bare support -- their wizards, notably -- but the civil war is stretching us thin. We control up to the Eschaton River but not the city itself.
 
Murg offered help, but "the list is quite long."
 
Connor took Sawscha and Yrna to the Grand Caravan Company
 
 

All of the queen's men

The two guards outside Sapphire's quarters were new: almost statues, they stood eight feet tall in shining black ebony armor. A dismal aura of magic and danger wafted from each. Steel knocked, and all entered.
 
"Gods, just close the door would you."
 
 
It's exhausting
 
What does it mean, Sapphire
 
Noble family
 
Steel drops the Claw
 
Everyone?
Everyone.
 
They've all kept to where they are.
But there are a lot of eyes on us now
 
You're not required to serve in court.
Queen?
Prince
 
Prince... Steel...
 
I know that the four of you are going to be tied up in foreign affairs. You can be my eyes and ears abroad.
If ever you want to help, and come to court, the door will not be closed to you.
 
But if I die
...
it's youuuuuuuu
 
Murg suggest a suitors; Sapphire and Steel both stare daggers at Murg.
 
Is there anyone?
I have no time for romance.
 
 
 
The topic turned to the civil war. "Bezia is closer to the Bladelands, and to Vecti. Chancillor Yuugen is the body of most intelligence nowadays.
 
They say Yuugen was born in Arcadia.
And he's... his name and "torture" go hand-in-hand
He hates magic (wizard?)
 
What do you, not Bezia, think of the Accord?
Sapphire: The idea of the accord is a beautiful one. But I doubt Arcadia will hold that torch much longer.
 
Arcadia is corrupt and power hungry. To me, here, they are no different from Vecti. Their soldiers are as vicious as the murderers from the south -- even sending angels against foot soldiers. They're killers, plain and simple.
 
But many of my people are also Arcadian. I can't take that from them.
I know how you feel, brother. Believe me, I do.
 

The Grand Caravan Company

The office looked much better than when the Vanguard had left. The boys outside led customers in orderly queues, beaming at the Vanguard as they headed inside.
 
Several pages inside spoke with customers on contracts and orders. Hannibal and Andre waved a few of them over, excitement flowing from him at the sight of Murg. He spoke first, shaking everyone's hands. "How have you been?"
 
Yrna and Sawscha had already set to work, Andre reporting only good things from them. Murg broke bad news -- "Yrna and Sawscha are kind of your bosses now" -- but Andre was only happy at the already-understood news.
 
A black-robed figure, suave and mysterious, sat in a corner reading a parchment from the company. "Hope you're hiring. We always need more employees."
 
"No way."
 
Right as rain, before the Vanguard, stood Dannerick.